Aerosol fabric de-wrinkler

ABSTRACT

THIS APPLICATION DISCLOSES A FABRIC DE-WRINKLER EMPLOYING AN AEROSOL SPRAY COMPOSITION WHICH REMOVES WRINKLES WITHOUT THE NEED FOR PRESSING OR IRONING.

United States Patent Ofice 3,600,325 Patented Aug. 17, 1971 3,600,325AEROSOL FABRIC DE-WRINKLER Karl L. Kaufman and Doris N. Martin,Indianapolis, Ind., and William J. Brown, Chicago, Ill., assignors toCPC International Inc. No Drawing. Filed July 2, 1968, Ser. No. 741,382Int. Cl. C09k 3/30 U.S. Cl. 252305 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThis application discloses a fabric de-wrinkler employing an aerosolspray composition which removes wrinkles without the need for pressingor ironing.

The present invention concerns a fabric de-Wrinkler. In general, thepresent invention provides means for removing wrinkles from a fabric orgarment by the use of an aerosol spray composition. More particularly,the present invention concerns a non-flammable, non-staining, relativelyquick-drying aerosol spray which quickly and effectively removeswrinkles without the need for ironing or pressing.

The desirability and usefulness of a fabric de-wrinkler which wouldquickly and effectively remove the wrinkles from a fabric or garmentwithout the need for ironing or pressing is apparent. A fabricde-wrinkler employing an aerosol spray composition is a potentiallyattractive product for several reasons. It would be relatively simple touse. It would be suitable for travel use. It has been found, however,that providing a satisfactory de-wrinkler employing an aerosol spraycomposition is no small task.

According to one theory, wrinkles occur in clothing when fibers of thefabrics are bent. The outside of this bend or fold will be undertension, while the inside of the bend will be under compression. Anyrecovery of the fabric is primarily associated with the inherentproperties of the fiber, especially the elastic recovery from extension.

The wrinkles in most fabrics may be removed by one of two procedures.The first method and the most common, is ironing or pressing. Thismethod employs pressure, heat and time to produce a tension in thefabric which removes the wrinkles.

The second method, which is not applicable to all garments, is the useof moisture. Wrinkled fabrics will generally show a rapid recovery orloss of wrinkles in a moist atmosphere. However, the moisture must becarefully controlled or else desirable creases may also be removed. Thislatter method also suffers a disadvantage in that substantial dryingtime is required before the garment is wearable.

One object of the present invention is to provide a fabric de-wrinkler.

Another object of the invention is to provide an aerosol spraycomposition suitable for use in removing wrinkles from a wrinkled fabricgarment.

A still further object is to provide a package containing an aerosolspray composition which will provide a nonfiammable, non-staining,relatively quick-drying aerosol spray which will quickly and effectivelyremove wrinkles.

These as well as other objects will be apparent from the disclosure andclaims which follow.

The fabric de-wrinkler of the present invention comprises a packagecontaining, under pressure, an aerosol spray composition.

The package can be one constructed of any of the conventional materialsemployed in fabricating aerosol containers. The package must be capableof withstanding internal pressures in the range of about 20 to about 70p.s.i. g. The one important requirement concerning the package is thatit be provided with valve means which will permit the aerosolcomposition contained in the package to be dispensed in the form of aspray of very small or finely divided particles or droplets. It has beenfound that packages provided with so called vapor tap valves areeminently suitable for this purpose. A vapor tap valve permits mixing ofthe propellant vapor phase with the aqueous alcoholic liquid phase(described hereafter) when the valve is actuated. Packages containingvapor tap valve means are known in the art and one such package isdescribed in U.S. Pat. 3,137,416.

In addition to the necessity for providing the package with suitablevalve means, such as a vapor tap valve, an optional feature of thepackage may be a so called re stricted body. As is known in thepackaging art, a restricted body is a means for reducing, orrestricting, the opening in the outlet end of the dip tube which isfound in aerosol packages of the type herein employed. As is known inthe art, the dip tube of such a package is a tube which extends from thevalve means essentially to the bottom of the package, where the inletend of the tube provides a means for allowing the liquid phase containedin the package, and to be dispensed from the valve, to pass through thetube to the valve. Although the restricted body is not a requiredfeature of the valve means employed with the packages used in thepresent invention, it has been demonstrated that a restrictive bodydoes, generally, give a more desirable spray pattern, particularly inthose instances where the aerosol spray composition is dispensed withoutfirst substantially shaking the package.

Briefly, the aerosol spray composition, employed in the fabricde-wrinkler of the present invention, consists essentially of a suitablepropellant and an aqueous alcoholic liquid phase. In the package, theaerosol spray composition comprises three phases. At the top, or upperportion, of the package is a propellant vapor phase. In the middle ofthe package is a propellant liquid and at the bottom is an aqueousalcoholic liquid phase.

The propellants suitable for use in the present invention are normallygaseous hydrocarbons having a density in liquid phase substantially lessthan that of the aqueous alcoholic liquid phase. Examples of suchpropellants are: isobutane, n-butane, propane and mixtures thereof.Isobutane is a particularly preferred propellant. Small amounts of otherhydrocarbons and/or halogenated hydrocarbons can be used in admixture ifdesired, proyided the required density is maintained.

The aqueous alcoholic liquid phase of the aerosol spray compositioncomprises water and, generally, isopropyl alcohol. Suitable alcoholsinclude ethyl alcohol and the propyl alcohols. Higher alcohols tend toimpart slow drying characteristics. A preferred alcohol is isopropylalcohol.

The aqueous alcoholic liquid phase generally comprises about 5% to about65% alcohol and about 20% to about water, based upon the total weight ofthe aerosol spray composition. In determining the relative amounts ofwater and alcohol, the flammability as well as the desired quick-dryingcharacteristics of the composition should be considered. Too muchalcohol would provide a composition which would not pass the standardflame propagation test for aerosols. On the other hand, too much waterunduly wets the fabric or garment and does not give the desiredquick-drying characteristics.

With the above considerations in mind, it has been found that apreferred aqueous alcoholic liquid phase comprises about 30% alcohol andabout 50% Water, based upon the total weight of the aerosol spraycomposition.

In one aspect of the present invention it has been unexpectedlydiscovered that the amount of propellant employed substantially affectsthe performance of the fabric de-wrinkler. If insuflicient propellant isemployed, the spray will not be of the extremely small particle sizeneeded to get good, quick penetration into the fabric without leaving anexcess amount of the composition on the surface of the fabric. On theother hand, if too great a proportion of propellant is used, thecomposition will not pass the standard flame propagation test foraerosols.

With this in mind, it has been found that about 15% to about 35%,preferably about 17% to about 23%, and most preferably about 20%propellant should be used. In a preferred embodiment of the invention,the de-wrinkler employs an aerosol spray composition that contains about20% isobutane.

It has been discovered that the aerosol spray composition should consistessentially of the above described propellant and aqueous alcoholicliquid phase and in general should not contain any other additives. Theinclusion of any surface active agent, in any significant amount,especially is to be avoided. The presence of such materials causetrouble. Real problems may be encountered if the composition contains asignificant amount of a surface active agent which has a detergenteffect. Since the composition of the present invention is generallyapplied to only a portion, i.e. the wrinkled area, of a fabric orgarment, if the composition contains a surface active agent, it may,especially if the fabric or garment is at all soiled, leave anundesirable clean spot. Another problem presented by surface activeagents that produce a foam on the fabric or garment, is that the usersometimes thinks that the foam will stain the garment. Thus, additivesin general and surface active agents in particular are to be avoided inthe present invention. However, very minor amounts of corrosioninhibitors of the type commonly employed to prevent corrosion of thepackage, and perfume to impart a desirable odor may be included in theaerosol spray composition of the present invention.

In general, the fabric de-wrinkler of the present invention may be usedon any type of fabric or garment. It will, of course, find primary useon those fabrics or garments that are intended to be dry cleaned. Thefabric de-wrinkler will find particular utility as an aid to travelersand for use in the ofiice as well as in the home.

In using the fabric de-wrinkler of the present invention, the wrinkledportion of the fabric or garment is sprayed, and preferably brushed, forexample, with the hand or a brush, to insure penetration and may bepulled taut once or twice. After about to minutes, the garment is dryand the Wrinkles have been quickly and effectively removed. Preferably,the garment is hung, for example, on

a hanger so that the weight of the garment also helps to hasten theremoval of the wrinkle. However, the garment can also be laid fiat.

The following example further illustrates the present invention. Unlessotherwise indicated, throughout this specification, all parts andpercentages are by weight.

' EXAMPLE 4 provided with epoxy phenolic lining. The package wasprovided with a vapor tap valve (Scovill Aerosol Valve S63). Thepressure in the package was about 35 p.s.i.g. (at 70 F.).

The fabric de-wrinkler of this example was used on various fabrics andgarments. For instance, wrinkles were quickly and effectively removedfrom wool suit coats, cotton ties, dacron-polyester fabrics and thelike. In all instances, the de-wrinkler quickly and effectively removedthe wrinkles and the composition was quick-drying, non-staining andnon-flammable. By non-flammable it is meant that the aerosol spraycomposition passes the present Federal Regulations for determining theflammability of the contents of self-pressurized containers.

While the invention has been described in connection with specificembodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of furthermodification, and this application is intended to cover any variations,uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, theprinciples of the invention and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the artto which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essentialfeatures hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of theinvention and the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of removing wrinkles from a wrinkled fabric which comprisesspraying the wrinkled portion of said fabric with a spray dispensed froma package containing therein under pressure, an aerosol spraycomposition consisting essentially of from about 15% to about 30%, byweight, propellant selected from the group consisting of isobutane,butane, and propane; from about 5% to about'65%, by weight, of alcoholselected from the group consisting of ethyl alcohol, propyl alcohol andisopropyl alcohol; and from about to about 80%, by weight, of water;said package being provided with valve means, adapted to dispense saidcomposition in the form of a spray.

2. A method as defined by claim 1, wherein the valve means is a vaportap valve.

3. A fabric de-wrinkler comprising a package containing, at a pressureof about 35 p.s.i.g., an aerosol spray composition consisting of about50 wt. percent water, about wt. percent isopropyl alcohol, and about 20wt. percent isobutane, said package being provided with vapor tap valvemeans.

4. A fabric de-wrinkler comprising a package containing, at a pressureof about p.s.i.g., an aerosol spray composition consisting of about wt.percent water, about 30 wt. percent isopropyl alcohol, about 20 wt.percent isobutane, said package being provided with vapor tap valvemeans provided with a restricted body.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,096,290 7/ 1963 Duane et al 252JOHN D. WELSH, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

